WestEd's Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) is now offering the PITC Infant & Toddler Group Care Course online!
Contact: Tracy Johnson | tjohnso2@wested.org
Online Infant and Toddler Group Care Course Flyer
This course focuses on the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) approach to infant/toddler care and addresses in particular how to support healthy social-emotional development and learning in group care settings. Course topics include an exploration of different temperament tendencies; stages of social-emotional development; development of self-esteem, security and social competence; socialization and guidance, and program policies that best support the healthy social-emotional development; learning, culture and families. The course also covers early brain development and learning; discoveries of infancy; culture; partnerships with families; and working with children with special needs.
Professionals working in a child care environment are the intended audience for this course. Priority will be given to those professionals currently caring for infants and toddlers in group care settings. Course participants (students) will be expected to complete approximately 3-5 hours of coursework per week for 19 weeks. Coursework hours include flexible online "in-class time" and the completion of readings, group discussions, quizzes, assignments and job-embedded practice. Students will participate in four online group discussions at designated times. Participants may also receive coaching either in person or online. Students must have regular access to a computer with internet connection.
This course will enable students to:
- Increase their knowledge and understanding of a child's emotional and social development;
- Learn ways to best meet the social-emotional needs of infants and toddlers in group care;
- Increase their knowledge and understanding of how children learn and best ways to facilitate their learning; and
- Learn about the importance of culture and families.
Participants who successfully complete the course will be eligible for three units through California State University, Fresno. Completion of the course may be used toward CCTC Professional Growth Hours and QRIS requirements.*
*Please note that the PITC Online Infant & Toddler Group Care Course is not a Train-the-Trainer course, and does not qualify participants to obtain PITC Trainer certification.
Includes all materials, access to online course, coaching and enrollment fees for three units of academic credit. Enrollment fees are non-refundable even in the case of drop or withdrawal from the course.
- California participants working in a group care setting 20+ hours/week with children 0-36 months: $225.00**
- All other participants: $975.00
**Verification of California residency will be required prior to enrollment.
Space is limited. Priority will be given to professionals working with children under 36 months of age in group care settings in California.
Submit your online application now to be considered for the next cohort. *** You will receive an email notification of your status within two weeks of submitting your application.
Upcoming cohorts:
- January 2023 - Closed
- May 2023 - Course starts May 8th - currently accepting applications
- September 2023 - Course starts September 11th
***Agencies/organizations may request additional cohorts for large groups of students. Please contact us for further information.
"I really enjoyed that this was an online course that I could essentially complete on my own time. Prior to this course, I had wanted to do the training for years, but could not afford to drive hours out of town to do the in-person training sessions."
"This course has helped me acknowledge how toddlers and infants feel and react. It gave me a bigger understanding on how to meet everyone’s needs- the children's and families."
"This course gave me more knowledge and was very helpful for me. Weekly I was learning new tactics and skills to help me better attend to the children."